Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life

Dino Rossi was twice certified Governor-Elect of Washington State in 2004, until the election results switched in a still-controversial hand recount. Now, he has written a book about his experiences as an elected official, businessman, husband and father. In his book Rossi talks about growing up in a working-class family, becoming a "businessman" as a young boy, working his way through college as a janitor, starting out with nothing in the commercial real estate business and earning success, getting elected to the state Senate and working across party lines to balance the largest budget deficit in state history, and being twice certified governor-elect in a state that hadn’t elected a Republican governor in 24 years. Rossi's book includes 12 inspirational lessons you can apply to your business and family life, and has already won praise from former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Sen. John McCain, and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. As you read his story, you will learn about the principles that guide him, and also realize the potential you have to be a leader yourself. The book is fun, insightful and captivating in its common-sense approach to success and living a good life. Rossi’s friend Chris Widener, a nationally recognized author and speaker on leadership, contributes a "Key Principle" summary at the end of each chapter.

Dino Rossi was twice certified the winner of the 2004 Washington state governor's race before a third recount switched the results of the election by the narrowest of margins. In a state where Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry won handily, Republican Dino garnered literally tens of thousands of Democratic and independent votes. No Republican in Washington state had won the governor's race since 1980.

Dino appealed to a broad base of voters with his straight talk on government reform and accountability, jobs and economic growth, protecting the vulnerable, and the importance of bipartisanship. His popularity continued throughout the aftermath of the 2004 election, including the election challenge he mounted in state Superior Court due to serious voting irregularites in Washington's largest county, King County. Athough Dino was not successful in his election challenge, a majority of Washingtonians continue to believe he received the most votes.

First elected to the Washington state Senate in 1996, by his third year he was Deputy Leader and the lead Republican on the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee. He was re-elected to his state Senate seat in 2000 with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

While in the state Senate, Rossi was a strong leader on budget issues. In 2003, after becoming the Chairman of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Washington faced the largest dollar deficit in its history. Even though the state House and the Governor's Office were controlled by Democrats, Dino worked across party lines and balanced the budget without raising taxes, while still protecting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Dino is also a successful businessman. He has been in the commercial real estate business for 22 years, and is currently Vice President of Scott Real Estate Investments in Seattle. In addition, he is co-founder of the Eastside Commercial Bank, founded in 2002.

A Washington native, Dino learned hard work and strong values from his family while growing up in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. He paid his way through college by working as a janitor. He graduated from Seattle University with a Business degree in 1982. After graduation, he was a regular volunteer with senior centers, the Boys & Girls Club and the Nature Conservancy.

Dino and wife, Terry, live near Seattle, Washington with their four children.